Alternative investments refer to assets and strategies outside of traditional asset classes like stocks and bonds. Conferences related to alternative investments in Europe in 2022 covered topics like private equity, venture capital, hedge funds, real estate, infrastructure, commodities and more. As we enter 2023, key trends shaping the alternative investment landscape in Europe include a growth in private capital, increasing interest in areas like digital assets and sustainable investing, and navigating a complex geopolitical environment.
Coverage of private capital and alternative assets
Many alternative investment conferences in Europe in 2022 had extensive coverage of private capital topics, including private equity, venture capital, private debt and private real estate. This reflects strong recent growth in private capital in Europe, with record levels of fundraising and dealmaking activity in recent years. This growth is expected to continue in 2023 as investors seek higher returns.
Emerging interest in digital assets and sustainable investing
Conferences also dedicated more sessions to newer alternative asset classes like digital assets, renewable energy and other impact investments. Cryptocurrencies and security tokens are seeing growing interest from investors and asset managers alike. Similarly, Europe is at the forefront of sustainable finance, leading to greater focus on ESG integration and investments that balance financial returns with positive social and environmental impact.
Geopolitical tensions creating uncertainty
The alternative investment environment in Europe faces uncertainty stemming from ongoing geopolitical events like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and resulting energy crisis and sanctions. Conferences discussed challenges and opportunities around topics like supply chain disruptions, inflation, central bank policies, and factoring geopolitical risks into investment strategies.
Alternative investment conferences in Europe in 2022 focused heavily on high-growth private capital strategies, while also exploring fast-developing themes like digital assets and sustainable investing. As Europe faces economic and political uncertainty heading into 2023, these conferences play an important role in helping investors navigate the complex landscape and capture evolving opportunities.